Ashok Kumar
Actor Producer
It is a twist of fate that India’s first superstar was a reluctant actor. Ashok Kumar preferred his job as a lab assistant at Bombay Talkies to being an actor but as fate would have it, an eloping episode involving the lead actors of ‘Jeevan Naiya’ in 1936 opened the doors of stardom for him. Born on October 13, 1911, in present-day Bihar, Ashok Kumar was born Kumudlal Kunjilal Ganguly. His father wanted him to become a lawyer but his heart was not in it. After the persuasion of his brother-in-law Sashadhar Mukherjee, his father let him work in Bombay Talkies. As they say, the rest was history. The 1943 film ‘Kismet,’ where he appeared as India’s first anti-hero, propelled him to stardom as it became the first Hindi movie to gross one crore. Kumar’s natural style of acting which was different from the then prevalent theatrical style made him instantly noticeable. His portrayal of Jogi Thakur in ‘Aashirwad’ (1968) won him both the National Award and Filmfare Award. In 1988, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The country honored him with a Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions.
Ashok Kumar’s Best Works
Mili
Chhoti Si Baat
Deedar
Asli Naqli
Lathi
Hospital
Operation Cobra
Anjan
Phoolon Ki Sej
Acting credits
2010s
Love in Bombay
1990s
Ankhon Mein Tum Ho
Operation Cobra
Beqabu
Lathi
Jamla Ho Jamla
Yuhi Kabhi
Humlaa
Aadi Mimansa
1980s
Clerk
Dana Paani
Sachai Ki Taqat
Faisla
Intaqaam
Avam
Hifazat
Mr. India
Pyar Ki Jeet
Superman
Watan Ke Rakhwale
Woh Din Aayega
Asli Naqli
Bhago Bhoot Aayaa
Mera Damad
Phir Aayee Barsat
Tawaif
Akalmand
Duniya
Farishta
Grahasthi
Hum Rahe Na Hum
Ram Tera Desh
Haadsaa
Love in Goa
Mahaan
Pasand Apni Apni
Prem Tapasya
Anokha Bandhan
Dard Ka Rishta
Dial 100
Shakti
Shaukeen
Sumbandh
Jail Yatra
Jyoti
Maan Gaye Ustaad
Mahfil
Pyar To Hona Hi Tha
Aakhri Insaaf
Aap Ke Deewane
Judaai
Khubsoorat
Khwab
Sau Din Saas Ke
Takkar
1970s
Amar Deep
Janta Hawaldar
Anpadh
Apna Khoon
Dil Aur Deewaar
Do Musafir
Khatta Meetha
Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan
Safed Jhooth
Tumhare Liye
Anand Ashram
Anurodh
Chala Murari Hero Banne
Dream Girl
Hira Aur Patthar
Jadu Tona
Mastan Dada
Aap Beati
Arjun Pandit
Balika Badhu
Barood
Bhanwar
Chhoti Si Baat
Ha Khel Savlyancha
Harfan Maulaa
One Better Than the Other
Shankar Dada
Aakraman
Chori Mera Kaam
Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka
Mili
Uljhan
Prem Nagar
Ujala Hi Ujala
Bada Kabutar
Do Phool
Taxi Driver
Anuraag
Dil Daulat Duniya
Garam Masala
Maalik
Pakeezah
Rakhi Aur Hathkadi
Sazaa
Victoria No. 203
Zameen Aasmaan
Zindagi Zindagi
Adhikar
Door Ka Raahi
Guddi
Hum Tum Aur Woh
Kangan
Naya Zamana
Umeed
Jawab
Journey
Maa Aur Mamta
Purab Aur Pachhim
Sau Saal Beet Gaye
Sharafat
1960s
Aradhana
Bhai Bahen
Do Bhai
Intaquam
Pyar Ka Sapna
Satyakam
Aabroo
Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
Aashirwad
Dil Aur Mohabbat
Bahu Begum
Hatey Bazarey
Jewel Thief
Mehrban
Nai Roshni
Afsana
Daadi Maa
Mamta
Aadhi Raat Ke Baad
Aakash Deep
Bahu Beti
Bheegi Raat
Chand Aur Suraj
Oonche Log
Shevatcha Malusara
Benazir
Chitralekha
Phoolon Ki Sej
Pooja Ke Phool
Aaj Aur Kal
Bandini
Grahasti
Gumrah
Mere Mehboob
Meri Surat Teri Ankhen
Ustadon Ke Ustad
Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke
Aarti
Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath
Rakhi
Dharmputra
Hospital
Kanoon
Masoom
1950s
Dhool Ka Phool
Kangan
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Dawn
Howrah Bridge
Karigar
Light House
Night Club
Raagini
Sitaron Se Aage
Sone Ki Chidiya
Ek Saal
Mr. X
Bhai-Bhai
Ek-Hi-Rasta
Inspector
Restless
Bandish
Lakeeren
Dream House
Nagma
Parineeta
Shole
Bewafa
Nau Bahar
Tamasha
Afsana
Deedar
Adhi Raat
Samadhi
Sangram
1940s
Mahal
Sajan
Eight Days
Shikari
Begum
Humayun
Chal Chal Re Naujawan
Kismet
Najma
Anjan
Jhoola
Naya Sansar
Bandhan
The Rebel
1930s
Kangan
Nirmala
Izzat
Prem Kahani
Savitri
Janmabhoomi
Jeevan Naiya
Untouchable Girl
212 credits shown · 1936–2013.
Behind the camera
1950s
Parineeta
Nau Bahar
1940s
Mahal
Eight Days
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